Jude Part One Deep Dive

A MAN OF WISDOM AND GRACE | ELLA HICKEY

Can you imagine being related to Jesus? What that would feel like? What that would look like? Jude, the author of the Book of Jude, did know what this was like, according to most scholars, who believe Jude was Jesus’ half brother. Jude, therefore, was not only related to Him, but had to live with the knowledge that while Jesus was alive, did not understand Him fully, and perhaps (although we don’t really know) doubted His claims. As we approach the Book of Jude with the knowledge that he knew Jesus personally, possibly grew up with Him and was certainly intimate with His family, we can appreciate the sincerity of the book and the character of who wrote it to perhaps a greater degree.

Jude covers one key issue written, ‘To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ’ (Jude 1:1). This primary theme is perseverance in the faith, and a warning against ‘ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ’ (Jude 1:4). Although a very short letter, the Book of Jude packs a punch and does so with a sense of urgency. Although Jude says at the beginning that he wishes to write about the ‘salvation we share’, instead he feels compelled (perhaps out of pressing need), to address the issue that he was seeing in the churches – that of apostates.

Jude does this by reminding his audience using examples of ungodliness displayed in the Old Testament, as well as examples in nature, calling the ungodly that had found their way into the folds of believers; ‘clouds without rain’, or ‘trees without fruit’ (Jude 1:12-13). What is most profound when reading Jude is that although his condemnation of the ungodly is very robust, it is also infused with grace. Although he calls the believers to stand up to those who reject God, he seems to personally understand those who doubt and goes on to encourage believers to give them mercy, save them from the fire, and to essentially ‘hate the sin, but not the sinner’ as is commonly recited today.

One of the challenges with the Book of Jude are its ‘extra-biblical’ themes. In his attempt to use examples of sin and judgement during his warning, Jude talks about events such as the Arch-angel Gabriel disputing with the devil about Moses’ body – events that are not found in our canon of scripture for reasons unknown (Jude 1:9). This has put into question the canonicity of the Book of Jude itself, however despite this, what this letter from Jude does do well, is remind us that the Old Testament is not just a story of an unrelated group of people, but continues to be ‘useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness’ and is applicable today (2 Timothy 3:16). 

Ella Hickey is a coffee drinking, exasperatingly optimistic, irresponsibly tattooed, twenty-something assistant pastor, novice radio announcer, neophyte writer and Bachelor of ministry graduate. She would describe herself as a theological pilgrim and one who tries their very best to be sensible and reliable (despite the tattoos and caffeine dependence).

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Jude part One